Tag: Memphis Airport Authority

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UPDATED: Memphis Photographer Tommy Kha’s Photo Removed from Airport

Update: On Tuesday, March 22nd, the Airport Authority, in a statement from president and CEO Scott Brockman, announced its intentions to reinstall the photo. “The Airport Authority appreciates the support that the community has shown for Tommy and we have made the decision to reinstall the artwork,” the statement reads. “We apologize to Tommy for the effect that this ordeal has had on him.”

Memphis photographer Tommy Kha’s work has been displayed in prominent galleries and museums all around the world. Not surprisingly, one of his photographs was included among the artworks selected for the new Concourse B at Memphis International Airport by the UrbanArt Commission. It was taken down this week, said the Airport Authority, in response to complaints from “Elvis fans.”

The photograph in question features Kha in an Elvis jumpsuit, standing in a kitchen with what appears to be 1950s-era furniture.

Tommy Kha’s photo “Constellations VIII / Golden Fields” at the opening of Concourse B. (Photo by Jon W. Sparks).

Scott Brockman, president of the airport authority, released a statement regarding the removal of the photo:

“Recently, the Airport Authority has received a lot of negative feedback from Elvis fans about one of the art pieces that was purchased and installed in our recently modernized concourse. When the airport created its art program, our goal was to purchase and display artwork that did not include public figures or celebrities.

“Our selection committee made an exception in the case of Tommy Kha’s piece and recommended its purchase. This was the only piece in the art collection that depicted a celebrity or public figure. While we understand that the artist created the piece as a tribute to Elvis, the public reaction has been strong, leading us to revisit that original goal of avoiding the depiction of public figures in our art collection. As a result, the airport determined it was best to temporarily remove the piece while we determine our best path forward.

“We are open to the possibility of commissioning new artwork by Tommy Kha to replace his previous piece.

“Among the complaints, there were a small number of comments that included language that referred to Mr. Kha’s race, and such comments are completely unacceptable. The Airport Authority does not support those comments nor does it form the basis for the Authority’s decision regarding the piece. MSCAA has been very intentional to emphasize local artists, diversity and inclusion with this art program, and we will continue to do so.”

The UrbanArt Commission also issued a statement:

“UAC respects and appreciates Tommy Kha and his art, and was pleased to recommend him to be included in the Memphis International Airport collection. Tommy grew up in Whitehaven, has spent years doing documentary work around Elvis tribute artists/impersonators, and considers himself a part of that community.

“We are opposed to Tommy Kha’s installation being removed from display, especially considering the openly racist comments made online in the development of this situation. … Airport leadership has chosen to remove an artwork from a Memphis artist, for reasons that we adamantly disagree with. UAC is in contact with the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority and advocates for the artwork to be reinstalled.”

Editor’s Note: The Flyer is working on a more comprehensive story about this situation. Stay tuned.

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Letter From The Editor Opinion

Sammons ‘R Us

I have some big news. Really big news. After lots of cajoling and arm-twisting, I’ve managed to convince Jack Sammons (yes!) to become the Flyer‘s new executive editor. Sure, I know he’s a busy man, being the CEO of the hair-product company that makes Shine ‘n Jam and running the Airport Authority and helping run the FedEx St. Jude golf tournament. And I know Mayor Wharton has tapped him as the man to take over as the new city chief administrative officer (CAO), but really, who else is there in town? Sammons, as we all know, is “Mr. Fixit,” and we need him here at the Flyer, just like everybody else does.

And, as everyone knows, Sammons’ resume is second to none. He’s already been city CAO once. He’s a four-term city councilman, a former council chairman, a restaurateur, a bartender, and a man with connections. And, according to several folks quoted in Wayne Risher’s recent Commercial Appeal profile, Sammons is a “master salesman, communicator, and executor … innovative, creative, and bold.”

Whew! Sammons, as is now obvious, not only can do it all, he eventually will do it all. The mayor has now dispatched an emissary to Nashville to convince the GOP-led legislature to overturn a pesky law that prohibits a person who’s running an airport authority from working for that airport’s city administration. But surely that’s just a formality. Sammons, as I may have mentioned, has connections in high places. And it’s just that important that he become Memphis’ CAO.

Sure, there are some nay-sayers, like county Mayor Mark Luttrell, who was quoted in Risher’s story as saying: “I just think that’s too much for one person. I think the airport needs someone who can give their unqualified attention to that situation and the city needs a CAO who can do that as well.”

Pish posh.

Sure, in other cities, there may be lots of qualified folks out there ready to step up and take things in a fresh new direction. But in Memphis, not so much. Around here, it’s pretty much Jack Sammons or nothing. We’re lucky to have him. Otherwise, we’d be screwed.

And that’s why I’m so happy he’s also going to begin running the Flyer. Sure, I could have looked around and found some perky, young forward-thinker. Heck, there are some deserving folks on my own staff, some of them even female, but if you get a chance to get Jack Sammons, you go for it, my friends. That’s just the way it is.

And yes, I’ve heard the rumblings out there — that Sammons is also going to begin running Memphis In May, MIFA, the CVB, the Memphis Grizzlies, Archer-Malmo, The Chris Vernon Show, Muddy’s Bake Shop, and Bass Pro, but he can handle it. He’s Jack Sammons, dammit. If you doubt him, you don’t know Jack.

And frankly (according to what a little birdie just told me), if I were Josh Pastner, I’d be a little nervous right now. Just sayin’.

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News News Blog

Memphis International Airport To Downsize Concourses

In about six years, all of the gates at Memphis International Airport will be consolidated into the existing B concourse as part of a “modernization” plan announced during the Memphis Airport Authority’s monthly board meeting Thursday morning.

The $114 million project is an effort to move all of the airline flight operations closer together. Currently, operations are spread over three concourses, and some areas are walled off since Delta removed its hub status and has been steadily reducing flights.

The new floor plan shows what the airport would look like without the south ends of concourses A and C.

  • The floor plan shows what the airport would look like without the south ends of concourses A and C.

Although the airport as a whole will be downsized since the south ends of concourses A and C will be demolished, concourse B will see enhancements. Walkways will be nearly doubled in size to give passengers more room as they move to and from gates, and moving walkways will be installed. The ceilings will be raised, and more windows will be added to provide natural light. During construction, the airport will see seismic upgrades. About 60 airline gates will remain open for future growth.

A view of the new skylighting that will be added to concourse B

  • A view of the new skylighting that will be added to concourse B

Security screening will be moved to concourse B, but a checkpoint at concourse C will remain open for busier times. Ticketing and check-in will continue in concourses A, B, and C, but baggage claim for all airlines will be moved to concourse B. The A and C baggage claim areas will be open for passengers to enter and exit the airport.

Moving walkways would be added to concourse B.

  • Moving walkways would be added to concourse B.

Jack Sammons, chair of the Memphis Airport Authority board, told the board that all of the airlines that operate out of Memphis International have advocated for this change. Removal of the south ends of concourses A and C frees up more taxi space for airplanes, and it will create a livelier B concourse since all concessions would be relocated to that area. Over the past year, a number of airport concession businesses have closed due to the loss of the Delta hub.

Sammons said he recently paid a visit to Southwest Airlines headquarters in Dallas to ask them to bring more flights to Memphis, and he said Southwest expressed support for the airport’s construction plan.

“They want to prune the tree, and the areas on south A and C concourses are the way,” Sammons told the board.

The removal of the south end of the A concourse will begin this year, and the removal of the south end of the C concourse is scheduled for 2015. Relocation of the airlines to concourse B should also begin in 2015. The enhancements of B concourse are scheduled for 2016.

Memphis Airport Authority president Scott Brockman told the board that much of the $114 million price tag would be funded through federal and state grants that are made up of taxes paid on airline fuel and airline tickets. The Airport Authority does not anticipate that the project will require the issuance of any additional general airport revenue bond debt.

“Passengers have a choice. Hundreds go to Little Rock everyday on perhaps the most dangerous highway in America [to fly out of the airport there],” Sammons said. “We want them to know that the Memphis airport is the airport of choice. To do that, you have to have a modern facility.”

Below is a map of the current airport gate layout. The south wings of A and C concourses will be demolished.

Categories
Opinion

Sammons Willing to Replace Perl at Airport Authority

Jack Sammons

  • Jack Sammons

Former Memphis City Councilman Jack Sammons could be in line to replace Arnold Perl as chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority when the board meets later this month.

Perl announced his resignation as chairman and board member last month with four years remaining on his five-year term. The board chooses the chairman and is scheduled to meet on January 17th.

“I’m sure interested, but I have not talked to other board members,” said Sammons, president of Ampro Industries. “I’m willing to serve.”

The board’s six members are Sammons, John Stokes Jr., Ruby Wharton, Jon Thompson, Jim Keras and Herb Hilliard. Sammons was appointed by former Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford.

Sammons said he “lives in the air” a good part of his time and was leaving Thursday to fly to Miami for $1,248 round trip.

Sammons would bring political experience, close ties to FedEx chairman Fred Smith, and a plain-spoken style to the job. He has played pinch-hitter for the city before, serving as chief administrative officer for interim mayor Myron Lowery when Lowery succeeded Willie Herenton.

“One thing I know how to do is sell,” he said.

He would also bring continuity, for better or worse, as the board deals with cutbacks in service and high fares from dominant passenger carrier Delta Air Lines. In an interview with The Flyer in 2011, Sammons said, “We have more air service on a per-capita basis than any city in America, and there is a price for that. The authority has been aggressive for a generation in chasing low-cost carriers. It brought in Frontier Airlines, but they didn’t last because Northwest matched their fares. The potential game-changer is Southwest buying AirTran. That is going to change Memphis prices in 12 to 24 months.”